​3 British school girls fly to Turkey, aim to 'become Jihadi brides' in Syria

Three missing British schoolgirls are believed to have flown to Turkey with the intention of crossing the border into Islamic State territory to become Jihadi brides.

The girls, all pupils at
Bethnal Green Academy, are reported to have flown from Gatwick to
Istanbul on Tuesday during their half-term break.

Shamma Begum, 15, Kadiza Sultana, 16, and another 15-year-old who
remains unnamed are friends with a fourth girl, who travelled to
Syria in December 2014.

Commander Richard Walton said he hoped a police appeal would mean
the girls were prevented from crossing the border into Syria.

“I think there's a chance we can get these three girls back
if they have not travelled to Syria,” he said.

He claimed none of the girls had left messages to their family or
friends before their departure.

The girls were not flagged up as a concern by Turkish Airlines.

“[We are] concerned about numbers of girls who have or are
intending to travel to the part of Syria that is controlled by
ISIS,” said Walton.

Police added that Shamima is possibly travelling under the name
of Aklima Begum.

Walton said he hoped the girls would "hear our concerns for
their safety and have the courage to return now, back to their
families who are so worried about them."

"The choice of
returning home from Syria is often taken away from those under
the control of Islamic State, leaving their families in the UK
devastated and with very few options to secure their safe
return," he added.

Two of the girls were
reported missing on Tuesday evening, and the third on Wednesday
morning.

They are believed to
have given their families reasonable excuses for being out during
the day.

Those with information can call the free Anti-Terrorist Hotline
number on 0800 789 321.